First Impressions

2015 Lexus RC Sport Coupe

Episode 3403

With the exception to the LFA, we haven’t driven a purely performance-minded Lexus in quite a while. And while we love the brand’s trademarked premium style, this 2015 Lexus RC is little more our speed!

A bit like Frankenstein’s monster, the RC is an engineering freak, in the best possible way. More than just an IS Coupe, the front end is adapted from the GS midsize sedan, the middle from the smaller, IS convertible, and the rear from the IS sedan. The result: a prominent front end and bulging hood, sharp profile, and short rear deck that combine to make quite a striking exercise in design.

The RC 350, serving as the base model, receives a 306 horsepower, 3.5 liter V6, 8 automatic shifting gears, and rear wheel drive. The AWD model gets a 6 speed automatic. F Sport packages are available on both, and include adaptive suspension damping and rear wheel steering. We found it provides a great middle ground experience for Lexus performance driving…

…because at the top of the performance ladder is the RC F. And with its 467 horsepower 5.0 liter V8, 8 speed automatic, and 4.4 second 0-60 time, overall performance is closing in on a certain BMW M car we’ve just spent some quality time with…

BEN DAVIS: “The RC F is incredibly rigid. But not too…not too tight. It’s very comfortable to drive fast. And it wants you to drive it fast. The brakes are amazing; huge 6 piston calipers up front. It doesn’t let you get into too much trouble. You can really pretty much point it and shoot it … All in all: extremely well done car.”

JOHN DAVIS: On sale soon, the 2015 Lexus RC 350 should sticker around $43,000, with the RC F closer to $63,000.